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SPECIAL COMMUNICATION. June 27, 1820
A communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine was holden at Mason's Hall in Portland, June 27, 1820, according to adjournment.
Present—R. W. SIMON GREENLEAF, Deputy Grand Master.
R.W. NATHANIEL COFFIN, Senior Grand Warden, p. t.
R. W. ROBERT P. DUNLAP, Junior Grand Warden, p. t.
R. W. JOSEPH M. GERRISH, Grand Treasurer.
R. W. WILLIAM LORD, Grand Secretary.
R. W. ELEAZER WYER, Senior Grand Deacon, p. t.
R. W. NELSON RACKLYFT, Junior Grand Deacon, p. t.
R. W. GEORGE THACHER, Jr. Grand Sword Bearer.
R. W. SETH CLARK, Grand Steward, p. t.
Bro. WILLIAM STEVENS, Grand Tyler.
Lodges represented.
Portland, Ancient Land-Mark, Solar,
United, Lincoln, Felicity,
Saco, Kennebec.
Voted, That the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts be adopted as the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, so far as they are applicable, until a new code be reported and accepted.
Voted, That the Grand Secretary be requested to obtain a list of all the Past Masters in the State of Maine, and the dates of the Charters of the several Lodges under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and that the District Deputy Grand Masters be requested to assist him.
Voted, That the Committee who have under consideration the Constitution and By-Laws for this Grand Lodge, be requested to report at our next meeting
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R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, Esq. of Wiscasset, submitted the following resolutions:
Resolved, As the sense of this Grand Lodge, that the translation of the Holy Bible into the various languages of the Earth, and distributing the same without note or comment, is a truly Masonic work, and claims the co-operation of every friend of the human race.
Resolved, That we accordingly recommend to all the fraternity, under this Masonic jurisdiction, to give heed personally to this great light, and to use their efforts for diffusing its cheering beams over the world.
Resolved, That as an expression of our gratitude to the Father of Lights for his most merciful care of us hitherto, and for the unexampled prosperity at this time attending the fraternity in Maine, we do hereby dedicate to this great work of diffusing the knowledge of His most Holy Word, one tenth of all moneys hereafter to be received for charters to subordinate Lodges, and for candidates initiated into the mysteries of our order; Provided however, That the expenses of the Grand Lodge already incurred for its consecration, shall be first paid, before any appropriation from our income be made to any other object whatever.
A petition from a number of Brethren in Norridgewock, praying for a charter to hold a Lodge there, was read ; but, as it had not the approbation of the two nearest Lodges,
Voted, That it lie over to the next meeting of this Grand Lodge, and that the Grand Secretary notify the petitioners of the same.
Voted, That Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer be authorized to procure all the blanks that may be necessary for the Grand Lodge.
The Committee of arrangements for the 24th of June, made a report, in which there appeared to be a balance of about one hundred dollars wanting to pay the bills: thereupon,
Voted, That the Chairman of said Committee be authorized to draw on the Grand Treasurer for any sum that may be wanted, not exceeding one hundred dollars.
Voted, That the prayer of the petition of Bro. Thomas B. Stinchfield and others, for a Lodge to be established at Waterville, by the name of Waterville Lodge, be granted.
The Committee appointed to procure a Seal with a proper device, made the following report, which was accepted :
The form, a circle, surrounded by the words, "Incorporated by the State June 16th, consecrated June 25th, A. L. 5820." Within this circle the words GRAND LODGE OF MAINE, upholding on its three pillars the Bible, Square, and Compasses, supported on the right by a Scythe, and on the left by
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an Anchor, (part of the arms of the State) having within the compasses, REGIT, (the Bible rules and directs us) irradiated by the polar Star, (the emblem of Maine,) and having above the whole the All-seeing Eye.
The following are some of the reasons which have led to this form and device.
We are incorporated by the State, and by placing the polar star, which is the emblem of Maine upon our Seal, casting its rays upon the Bible, Square and Compasses, which in this represent the masonic family, we acknowledge our allegiance to the State. By placing the Scythe and Anchor as our supporters, they being also part of the Arms of the State, we acknowledge our obligations for the support afforded us, not only by granting us an incorporation without a dissenting vote, but by other public acts expressive of their regard for the Institution. Above the whole we place the All-seeing Eye, to remind us, that all our actions, of a political as well as of a masonic nature, are under divine inspection. These emblems being surrounded with the indented Tessel, resting upon a tesselated pavement, remind us of that variety of blessings with which we are surrounded by Divine Providence while passing through the chequered scenes of life. And as the whole rests upon pillars having their foundation in the Grand Lodge, the device reminds us that the State and the Fraternity should always find a steady support in the patriotic and benevolent principles and labors of the Grand Lodge of Maine.
NATHANIEL COFFIN, Chairman.
Voted, That the Grand Treasurer be directed to procure suitable books for himself, and for the District Deputy Grand Masters.
Voted, That the Recording Grand Secretary be directed to procure a suitable book for the records of the Grand Lodge, and that he cause an abstract of the records of the Convention including the whole of the final report of the committee to agree on the terms of separation with the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to be transcribed into the same.
Voted, That R. W. Simon Greenleaf, D. G. Master, be a committee to prepare the abstract above mentioned, and also to prepare the first communication of the Grand Lodge to be printed and distributed among the several Lodges under this jurisdiction.
Voted, That R. W. Simon Greenleaf, D. G. Master, be a committee to superintend the printing the oration delivered by J. H. Sheppard Esq., and procure a suitable number for the Grand Lodge.
Voted, That all the accounts of the Grand Lodge be settled so as to appear in their first communication.
Voted, That R. W. Brothers Robert P. Dunlap, Nathaniel Coffin, and Samuel Little be a committee to agree with Portland and Ancient Land-Mark Lodges or either of them for suitable rooms for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge.
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Voted, That the Corresponding Grand Secretary be requested to provide a suitable book and record his correspondence therein.
Voted, That the resolutions offered by R. W. Nathaniel Coffin, J. G. Warden, be put over to our meeting in January next, and that one hundred copies be printed and the Grand Secretary send a copy to the Master and Secretary of each Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge.
Voted, That the first printed communication of this Grand Lodge be sent to all the Grand Lodges in America and Europe, with an official note by the Corresponding Grand Secretary, announcing the regular organizing of this Grand Lodge and requesting their fraternal recognition and correspondence.
The Grand Lodge then adjourned to the 4th Thursday in August next, 24th day.
WILLIAM LORD, Grand Secretary.
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